Establish a rebar substrate, with ends of rebar doweled into the concrete wall, floors, and block. Secure with epoxy. If in doubt, use more rebar, on average no less than a 12″ square grid.

Diamond lathe is then wrapped and tied onto the rebar structure, creating a steel substrate. Make sure the diamond lathe is installed to “hold” the concrete mix.

A scratch coat is then applied of S-Type Mortar. All the diamond lathe is covered, and a Rockmolds Scarifier Rake is used to prepare the surface for the texture coat of a vertical stamp mix.

The following day, after the scratch coat has been allowed to dry, hose down completely to saturate thoroughly. Then apply a ½”- 2″ thick texture coat of vertical stamp mix where you want the bark peeling away, exposing the cambium layer.

Tip: Trowel this exposed cambium layer out smooth, then run a chip brush to add some texture. Then use a sharp tool to add in the knots and deeper lines.

After the cambium layers are complete, apply the vertical stamp mix as a bark coat on the remaining area of the logs. Trowel smooth, and immediately spray with theRockMolds Liquid Release and use RockMolds Heavy Bark Roller to apply the bark texture.

Tip: Before this step take a field trip out into nature and observe how the texture of bark runs down trees, and how it connects into limbs.

After the vertical mix has sufficiently firmed up, usually within 4-6 hours, the bark edges can be accented by carving out. A RockMolds tuck-point trowel works great.

Tip: A chip brush dipped in water may be used at this time as well to clean up the edges between the peeled back bark and cambium layer.

Let your logs cure 24 hours minimum. Hose off any loose debris.

Color the logs with RockMolds Stone Color water-based stains. Start with lighter colors, and layer in the darker colors until a certain look is obtained. You can always go darker! We used the gray stain Dove for the aged exposed cambium layer and a combination of Sequoia and Expresso for the bark.

Tip: We like to use a gravity fed paint sprayer with a fine tip for the RockMolds Stone Color water-based stains. Use a concrete sponge to blot the surface for any runs.

Seal the stones with RockMolds Stone Sealer. This will give the most natural appearance to the logs, without a sheen.

Tip: Seal every 2 years to refresh the color and protect your investment!